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LD Markus Niemeläinen - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2016, 63rd, EDM)

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Any rumors where Markus will play next season?.
Is it OHL / AHL / NHL or FEL.

He's still HIFK's contract player and he's only loan for OHL.
So is playing in HIFK's FEL team one option or not.
 
FinnHockeyFan said:
Any rumors where Markus will play next season?.
Is it OHL / AHL / NHL or FEL.

He's still HIFK's contract player and he's only loan for OHL.
So is playing in HIFK's FEL team one option or not.
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Umm.. shouldn't we wait for the draft and see which team picks him? His upcoming franchise might have something to say for which path he should follow.
 
HockeyHistorian said:
Hey, I'm all for it, I'm a Finn and I don't really have a favorite NHL team, but I really do like the Jets. That said, Ladd for Niemeläinen seems a bit drastic. :laugh::sarcasm:
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I'm sure he didn't mean straight up but with the pick obtained from trading Ladd (one of the pieces).
 
Very intrigued with this player. Anyone who watches him play able to give a little scouting report? How does he compare to Logan Stanley (who is rated 1st round in some mock drafts)
 
Any reason why he is not on the finnish U18 team? And is there any chance he makes it? I saw Vaakanainen was named to the team but he is injured, is he not?
 
I have to say I have zero insight on how good/bad he is. What is his ceiling and how likely is he to reach it?

Could he ever become a top 2 defenseman or will be a borderline career-AHLer?

how good is he compared to Jokipakka and Lindbohm?
 
Bump. Anybody watched him play this year and provide insight on likely draft position?
 
Jetsetter said:
I predict that the Winnipeg Jet's will trade Andrew Ladd and get at 1st round pick and select Markus Niemelainen - LHD with this pick. The Jets are very light of the LD and Winnipeg has always loved Finish players. My favorite two are Teppo Numminen and Teemu Selanne. Fin's and Swede's are loyal and down to earth type of people. It's not just about money for these passionate players.
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Not looking so crazy now haha.
 
I think selecting Niemeläinen in the 1st would be a mistake. He's a project and there's simply better selections to make.
 
Burr08 said:
Bump. Anybody watched him play this year and provide insight on likely draft position?
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Pretty solid on his own end but offensive production was a bit dissapointing, but should still be a second round pick at latest. 6'6 defenseman with offensive upside and good skating are pretty rare.
 
JJTT said:
Pretty solid on his own end but offensive production was a bit dissapointing, but should still be a second round pick at latest. 6'6 defenseman with offensive upside and good skating are pretty rare.
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Yeah agree about his skating. Never seen a guy that big skate so smooth. But he really needs to work on his offensive game and become more physical at times to round out his game. I don't think either of those things are gonna happen playing AHL or Pro in Finalnd. Hopefully whoever drafts him agrees and sends him back to the OHL.
 
Kingpin794 said:
Yeah agree about his skating. Never seen a guy that big skate so smooth. But he really needs to work on his offensive game and become more physical at times to round out his game. I don't think either of those things are gonna happen playing AHL or Pro in Finalnd. Hopefully whoever drafts him agrees and sends him back to the OHL.
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I agree about OHL being the best place for him to develop his offensive game, but surely he'd learn to use his body better against much stronger pros. Speaking of his body, it appears that he still has a lot of filling out to do, which bodes well for the future since he is nowhere near his physical peak.
 
Kingpin794 said:
Yeah agree about his skating. Never seen a guy that big skate so smooth. But he really needs to work on his offensive game and become more physical at times to round out his game. I don't think either of those things are gonna happen playing AHL or Pro in Finalnd. Hopefully whoever drafts him agrees and sends him back to the OHL.
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If / when that scenario comes true and Niemeläinen stays in OHL that NHL team who drafts him should bought Niemeläinen out of his contract with HIFK Helsinki FEL team.
HIFK will lost some players of their defence so there's migth be spot for Niemeläinen too.
HIFK loaned him to saginaw because they didn't have spot for him past season ( 2015-2016).

If / when Niemeläinen wont play any pro games in HIFK then his signing summer 2015 to HIFK is more than questionable.
 
Preseason in Finland starts next Monday ( 1st August) and there's nothing new of situation where Markus Niemeläinen plays upcoming season.
Is he HIFK's player as eliteprospect.com says or is he Saginaw's player or is he going to play Bakersfield ( Edmonton's AHL affiliate.) what's the official truth?
 
He looks like he is in the same situation as Alex Nylander. He can play OHL,AHL or Europe.
 
FinnHockeyFan said:
Preseason in Finland starts next Monday ( 1st August) and there's nothing new of situation where Markus Niemeläinen plays upcoming season.
Is he HIFK's player as eliteprospect.com says or is he Saginaw's player or is he going to play Bakersfield ( Edmonton's AHL affiliate.) what's the official truth?
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I imagine the Oilers ideally want Niemalainen to be at camp in September and then will make a decision on where is best for him to play after that. I don't think he'll be in Bakersfield as their blue line is pretty crowded. As an Oiler fan I personally think the best thing for him would be to play another season in the OHL with a team that isn't Saginaw, but that might be hard to orchestrate.
 
Kingpin794 said:
Just curious, why's that?
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Because it keeps him on NA ice, and he still needs to prove he can dominate against CHL level opposition before he takes the next step to facing men. Saginaw I believe is expected to be a better team next year and I'd rather him gain some confidence in his offensive game and his physical game playing against teenagers rather than get discouraged against bigger stronger men when its already one of his weak areas. Just my opinion that he'd be better with another year in the OHL before jumping to either AHL or Liiga.
 
BarDownBobo said:
From what I've heard Saginaw was a bit of a gong show last year with regards to coaching/management. I don't follow the OHL too closely so that might be sorted out now, but I'd still like to see him with a more stable team.
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They have a new coach, and they also brought in a lot of new faces as assistants and from a player development stand point since last year.
 
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